Tripartite Motif Containing Protein 26 (TRIM26)

TRIM26 is a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family. The TRIM motif includes three zinc-binding domains, a RING, a B-box type 1 and a B-box type 2, and a coiled-coil region. The protein localizes to cytoplasmic bodies. Although the function of the protein is unknown, the RING domain suggests that the protein may have DNA-binding activity. The gene localizes to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I region on chromosome 6.The predicted protein also contains a domain thought to form a coiled-coil, possibly to promote dimerization. A third feature of the predicted protein is a polyglutamic acid region near the carboxyl terminus. Although the biologic role of AFP was unknown, one potential function was binding of nucleic acids. The gene was expressed in multiple tissues and conserved among mammals.